By Mitch Bach

Tigers Schultz, Rubins remain sidelined heading into final five games

Mar 10, 2017 | 12:03 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A banged-up blue-line has been the Medicine Hat Tigers namesake this season. 

Five games remain and the team could lack the help of not just Ty Schultz, who’s missed the last 22 games with a broken leg, but Kristians Rubins as well.

Rubins was seen with a sling around his arm following Tuesday night’s overtime win over Kootenay; a game in which the 6’5″ Latvian watched from the Canalta Centre stands.

Tigers head coach and GM Shaun Clouston says there’s no immediate time-line for Rubins’ return, but he hopes to have him back in the line-up come the playoffs.

“I think we would look at him right now as week-to-week,” he said. “I don’t think we’re quite in the day-to-day range. But we’re optimistic come playoff time he’ll be ready to go.”

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Patience has been waning on Schultz. 

The 20-year-old has missed the last eight weeks of action after snapping his fibula on a blocked shot. 

But he says he’s made significant strides in recovering as of late, even taking the ice by himself on several occasions.

“I’m just out there alone, so I’m basically just learning how to skate again,” said Schultz, who tallied three goals and 18 helpers before suffering the broken leg on January 13th. “Doing some laps… even that’s kind of hard right now. I’m just trying to get back in shape.”

Getting his lungs back into shape will be another task for the New Westminster, BC product. Sitting on pain medication, transported by a cast and crutches can hinder a players’ stamina quickly.

But Schultz says he won’t return to the line-up unless he’s 100% healthy, and able to keep up with the play.

“I know if I was on the ice (against Edmonton), I wouldn’t be doing too well. I’m just going to work hard and hopefully by playoffs for sure I’ll be back,” added Schultz, noting he may dress in the final two games of the season against Lethbridge, depending how his leg feels.

Nick Schneider will return to the blue-paint against the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday after watching the last five games from the bench. The Calgary Flames prospect was expected to start on Tuesday, but was forced to back out at the last second after coming down with illness. This will be Schneider’s first start since a win in Calgary on February 24th.

Clouston confirming G Nick Schneider will start tonight. @tigershockey

— Mitch Bach (@CHATTVMitchBach) March 10, 2017

Puck drop between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Medicine Hat Tigers is set for 7:30 p.m. The legendary Bob Ridley will bring you full play-by-play on CHAT 94.5 FM, beginning with the pregame show at 7:00 p.m.